April 29, 2006

If you read Heidi Swapp's blog (like I do every day) then this will look a little familiar.

I loved this idea when I saw Heidi's one she made for her mother. Her folded album in a frame was recently published in Home Companion (Mary Englebreights' US magazine). Then last night I was watching some trashy reality show and the "stars" were checking out invitations which were made from photo frames too. My mind somehow put the two images together, Heidi and invitation, then a light bulb came on in my head! So I decided to make a baby card for Charlotte. And here it is!

April 27, 2006

Congratulations to Willisa, Sean and Matti on the birth of their new baby girl!

Charlotte Rae was born this morning at Frankston Hospital. She weighed 7lb 1oz and was 52cm long! Willisa called the shop herself at midday to tell us the good news. Then Sean came in later to pick up the latest issue of For Keeps for Will (how romantic)!

I still can't quite believe she's a girl and can't wait to hold baby Charlotte (Will had me so convinced it was going to be a boy too)!

All the girls at coffee morning were so excited to hear the news and that Will was feeling good too!

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Meanwhile, I've just returned home from CVI State Graceful Championships with Chelsea (and Harry - Peter at a conference tonight). She came 4th even though it was possibly her best ever performance. Unfortunately that's what happens in Calisthenics world. I always think it's character building to deal with unfair decisions, but it's hard to feel that way when your child is crying bitter tears in the car on the way home. The upside is she won a medal and we really are happy to have even gained a place, it's just not the same as coming home with a trophy. I blame myself really.....just couldn't get her hair up high enough tonight!

We have a beautiful video of the performance which we have just finished watching and Chels is feeling much better after seeing how well she performed, so all's right with the world again. :D

April 26, 2006

Ok, so technically it's Autumn, but it feels like we've skipped Autumn and gone straight to Winter in Melbourne this year.

I H A T E feeling cold. All winter I fantisize about getting new heaters in our freezing cold house. I devour catalogues featuring fleecy blankets, electric heaters and throw rugs. Last year my family gave me an electric panel heater for Mother's Day. I was so happy, I plugged it in straight away and sat there with it on my lap (until it got dangerously hot and I had to turn it off for a while). Unfortunately it absolutely EATS electricity, so I feel guilty about having it on, but our gas heater is broken beyond repair and the reverse cycle heating is pathetic (lots of noise, not enough heat). This Mother's Day I'm hoping for new flanellette PJ's (family take note) and a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows in it....mmmmm feeling warmer just thinking about it.

The fact that it's warm in Qld is all I think about while I'm watching BB06. btw how refreshing to have less trashy people this year, but I can't believe I'm sucked into watching it again.

AND in other reality TV world, I love Sally on survivor and cheered when she was saved last night, but my fav person is Cirie, not only is she cute, but she's smart and does really well in all the challenges too. Go girls!

April 24, 2006

This one is for any of you who freaked out about the last photo while driving incident. How cool is this shot taken in my rear view mirror on the way to work today?

Please take note of how focused I am on the road ahead.

I was going to take a photo of my desk post Margie (a lovely clean and calm looking environment) but I've been doing my best to mess it back up today.

Peter offered to be shop boy for the day so I could get back on track with my reconciliations, but he ended up running all over Frankston for the day, so not much has been achieved....apart from messing the desk up again. He did bring me Maccas toast and coffee this morning and sushi for lunch so he's forgiven.

Speaking of Peter, he played his first super rules footy game for the Carrum Cowboys on Sunday. He was in pain for the whole game yesterday, but still managed to kick a goal and a point and made some valuable assists too. He has has sore ribs since playing for Vic Metro in the big super rules festival hosted by the Pambula Buccaneers over Easter. He even pulled out of golf after 9 holes on Saturday (unheard of) so he could play footy for the Cowboys. He hasn't played for 18 years so it's been quite a comeback!!

Every week Peter goes to training, or plays a game he comes back with a new injury. The Physio loves him!

The latest diagnosis is that he may have torn some cartiledge (?) in his ribs - ouch?

Oh well, look how happy he is to be playing footy again. (or is that a grimace of pain?)

April 18, 2006

Amy! Yes, it's Design Team Tuesday and don't faint, but I'm actually updating the blog on the correct day!

Amy is such a lovely person, she is a neo-natal intensive care nurse (now a trainer) during the daytime and in her spare time, when she is not scrapbooking, she plays netball and enjoys gardening. Amy is an approved foster parent and so are her parents. Her family have adopted a little girl who has been with them since she was infant and is now 5.5 years old. Amy says "Pip" is one of her main sources of inspiration.

I encourage you to check out Amy's work in the album here and IRL at the boutique. Welcome to the team Amy, it's been a pleasure looking through your portfolio, thank you for sharing your creations with us.

We had to be at the comp in Forest Hill at 8.30am on Saturday with hair and make up done (hair-do is all real hair that is teased, curled and pinned which takes at least 30mins to do)! There were 21 other beautiful girls in her section, so it is really tough competition which makes winning even more special! When the adjudicator was giving her critique at the end of the section, she mentioned that some girls were not expressing their music well and she just didn't feel it, but the girl who won "I have to admit, she made me cry"!!!!! How cool is that?!

I didn't take a photo at the comp because she had a professional photo taken, but I did take a couple of shots when we got home of Chels with the little swarovski crystal mouse she won!

April 05, 2006

Kerri Duffey! Yes, it's Design Team Wednesday (don't ask me what happened to Tuesday!) and today I am presenting Kerri's work on the blog.

Kerri's work is just gorgeous, so beautifully finished and there are always so many little details on her projects that you find when you take a second and third look. If you haven't already seen Kerri's work on display in the shop or been in one of her classes by now, you don't know what you've been missing!

Kerri has this to say about why she loves to scrap: "Scrapbooking allows me to express myself in so many ways - creatively, emotionally and socially. Scrapbooking is an addiction, it's a passion, it's therapy.....IT'S ME!" And I think we can all relate to that statement!

Check out Kerri's work in her album here and next time you're in the store be sure to look at all the lovely little finishing touches on Kerri's projects, you're sure to be inspired.

April 03, 2006

I can hardly believe it's been a year since we opened the shop doors. That has to have been the fastest year of my life! (and possibly the funnest!)

This really is THE BEST place to work and I've made so many new scrapbooking friends in the past twelve months - that's part of the reason it's so fabulous to be here (not just because I get to play with all the beautiful products all day!). This place has truly become a part of my soul.

As much fun as it is, I've never worked so hard or such long hours in all my life! (Most weeks I work about 60 hours.) I'm so happy, so tired and so stressed out all at the same time. Perhaps now would be a good time to thank all those who have helped me get where I am today. Here goes:

Thanks to Leeanne, Willisa, Kim (no longer with us) & Jo for being so much fun to work with, I really appreciate your loyalty and dedication.

Thanks to Pa Treseder (Peter's dad) for all the blood sweat and tears you put into building my beautiful shop fittings and to Ma for her support too.

Thanks to the Searles (Susan, Glenn, Erin, Lachlan & Evelyn) who came and cleaned up and helped hang 100's of hooks with shiny new products.

Thanks to my sister Margie, bookeeper extrodinaire, who helped me set up my bookeeping & computer systems and keeps coming back for more!

Thanks to my Dad for being a willing ear on the phone, a reassuring voice who has lived the retailers life.

Biggest thanks of all to my long suffering family; to Peter who does so much in the background to allow me to live my dream, and to Harry and Chelsea for doing without their mother and not resenting it too much.

And of course THANK YOU for shopping here, for chatting with me, for sharing your photos and your lives with me. I'm so grateful you choose to shop in my store. To thank you we are having a HUGE SALE all day tomorrow - 25% off everything!! See you then!

"Would you like a bone with that?"

What a cute puppy! He's too long to fit on the counter now! Chelsea made his little name tag so he wouldn't feel left out!

PS. A Chelsea update from the weekend. She came fourth in her Graceful Solo and was close to a place for her Physical, so far she has had 4 places out of 6 comps! (woohoo!)